Record Reviews

WASSIM IBRAHIM / SYLVIE ROHRER ~ NEVER DIED YET NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 9007970016728) ~ POLAND ~ Special Products Recorded: 2022 Released: 2025 This is an album by Syrian (resident in Poland) oud player / vocalist / composer / educator Wassim IbrahimFind albums by this artist and Swiss actor Sylvie RohrerFind albums by this artist, which presents a series of short texts written by German author Katharina HackerFind albums by this artist and Turkish / German author Emine Sevgi OzdamarFind albums by this artist, recited by Rohrer, and traditional Middle Eastern themes / songs performed by Ibrahim, who sings and accompanies himself on oud, which are in Arabic and Aramaic languages, altogether nineteen tracks (ten songs and nine text recitations). The album was excellently recorded in Vienna. The wonderful East-West amalgam presents the universal harmony of Cultures, which knows no geographical / political borders between People, all of whom share the basic common human emotions of love, fear and need of comfort. Although the textual contents might be somewhat limited by the need of understanding the German language, the music is of course entirely universal. Wassim is a genuine medium of transporting the music of his origins to others and his performances are always a highly spiritual experiences. His virtuosity and intimate familiarity with the oud are truly astounding and upon hearing his music one is constantly transported, on a transcendental magic carpet, into the narrow alleys of Damascus Old Town, where the smells of coffee, spices and sweet delicacies engulf the listener completely. This is the “real thing”, not the ersatz oriental music westerners are often exposed to, and we, the “Middle Easters” can instantly feel in our guts. Overall, this is a most welcome occasion to hear some genuine great music form the Middle East, combined with wonderful short texts by intelligent women writers. Every such cross-cultural affair is executed with love and true devotion, is a welcome contrast to animosity and conflict, which, sadly, our world seems to prefer. شكرا لك أخي الروحي

Updated: 13/09/2025Posted: 13/09/2025

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